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Finding a job after divorce can be hard work

On behalf of Bartholomew & Wasznicky LLP posted in Divorce on Monday, January 11, 2016.

Getting divorced can prompt some significant lifestyle changes for any person, regardless of how amicable or contentious the split may have been. It is a time of considerable transition and it is quite common to have feelings of confusion, fear, helplessness and insecurity.

This can be especially true for people who need to go back to work after stepping out of the professional world. If you are like many other Californians who left a job or career in order to stay home and take care of the house or kids while you were married, you may find yourself struggling to re-enter the workforce after a divorce. However, there are a few things you can do to make the transition easier on you and your family.

Ask for help: Having a gap in your resume or feeling out of touch with developments in your chosen field is nothing to be ashamed of; plenty of people have been in this situation before. Asking for help from job coaches, friends, past co-workers and others can help you prepare and get acclimated to finding and securing a job.

Take action: You can be doing yourself an enormous disservice by sitting back and waiting for employment opportunities to come to you. Instead, you can take steps to make things happen. Seek out training opportunities, join networking groups, apply for jobs you think may be out of reach and brush up on interviewing skills. Besides developing your professional capabilities, these things can also help you feel empowered and motivated.

Be patient with yourself: Any jobseeker can tell you that finding a job you like that also pays the bills is something of a challenge. Just like any significant lifestyle transition, it will not happen overnight. Try to be patient and have confidence that with time, preparation and hard work, you can find a job that meets your needs.

Going back to work after divorce is unavoidable for many people in California. However, these tips could help you sidestep some of the complications that can and do arise.

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